Quiz on 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' and Early American Literature

What is the main purpose of Edwards' sermon 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'?

• To promote scientific thinking
• To warn sinners of God's wrath and encourage repentance
• To criticize the government
• To entertain his congregation

How does Edwards describe God's attitude towards sinners in his sermon?

• Indifferent and uncaring
• Amused and entertained
• Loving and forgiving
• Angry and wrathful

What literary device does Edwards use when he compares sinners to spiders held over a fire?

• Metaphor
• Alliteration
• Simile
• Personification

According to Edwards, what is the only thing that can save a person from eternal damnation?

• being born again
• Regular church attendance
• Good works
• Being born into a Puritan family

How does Edwards' sermon reflect Puritan beliefs?

• It stresses the concept of predestination
• It encourages scientific inquiry
• It promotes religious tolerance
• It emphasizes the importance of wealth

What effect did Edwards likely intend his sermon to have on his audience?

• To encourage them to question authority
• To inspire them to explore new lands
• To instill fear and promote repentance
• To make them laugh

How does Edwards' sermon differ from Enlightenment thinking?

• It questions religious authority
• It encourages individual thinking
• It promotes scientific discovery
• It relies on emotion rather than reason

What does the popularity of Edwards' sermon suggest about colonial society?

• They were primarily interested in entertainment
• They were focused on scientific advancement
• They were deeply concerned with religious matters
• They rejected all forms of authority

How might Edwards' sermon have influenced colonial literature?

• It promoted the use of scientific language
• It led to an increase in romantic poetry
• It inspired more emotional and vivid imagery
• It encouraged more humorous writing

What role does fear play in Edwards' sermon?

• It is used to entertain the audience
• It is a tool to motivate repentance and faith
• It is presented as irrational
• It is discouraged as un-Christian